Ladies 0 C&K Basildon 3

Matt French’s side travelled to Essex knowing that a victory would see them close the gap on the top-two to five points heading into the final three games of the season.

However, despite a positive start, they fell behind after Hannah Barrett was adjudged to have fouled Sara Sinclair in the area. Basildon’s Jenny Brown-Wealls stepped up and duly converted from 12-yards to give the visitors a lead which they saw through to half-time.

The Dons Ladies pushed for a way back into the game in the second half and they went close through Chloe Smith who, after racing onto a hopeful long ball, fired narrowly over the crossbar.

Basildon, though, dealt the Dons a killer blow when Karissa Rodney volleyed home with just eight minutes left on the clock.

The visitors then sealed the win with a stoppage-time free-kick, which ended the Dons’ slim hopes of mounting a late title surge.